Coin controlled dispensing machine



Dec. 16, 1952 H, MERR|LL 2,621,771

COIN CONTROLLED DISPENSING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1947, 5 Sheets-Sheet l a ezzzggJf. dllez'rz'l/ BY ATTORNEY 1952 H. M. MERRILL COIN CONTROLLED DISPENSING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 22, 1947 II!!! I [NI 51V T 0R, a l ezzg By 91/4 1. ,flTTORII/EY Dec. 16, H MERRILL COIN CONTROLLED DISPENS {NG MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 22, 1947 3 V E .....E OJ 5 Patented Dec. 16, 1 952 com CONTROLLED DISPENSING MACHINE Henry M. Merrill, Chicago, Ill., assignor to J. P.

Seeburg Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 22, 1947, Serial No. 736,501

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a coin controlled dispensing machine which is adapted to be put into operation by the insertion of a coin to dispense a corresponding number of articles. The machine may be constructed to accept coins of a plurality of denominations and to dispense a number of articles depending upon the value the coin inserted. I

The invention may readily be applied to change making machines which are a form of coin actuated dispensing machines which dispense a plurality of smaller coins corresponding in value to a larger coin inserted. The invention is, however, applicable to all kinds of coin controlled dispensing machines. I

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved coin controlled dispensing machine.

In one embodiment of the present invention I provide a motor driven means for dispensing articles, and a, switch assembly. This assembly carries a plurality of motor controlling snap switches and is driven by the motor in synchronism with the dispensing mechanism. I provide stationary means for opening the switches of the switch assembly and I provide means controlled by the insertion of a coin for closing one of the switches. The switch closed by the insertion of a particular coin is displaced from the switch opening means by a distance corresponding to the value of the coin which controls it so that the appropriate number of articles is dispensed before the motor is stopped as a result of the opening of the switch by the switch opening means.

In another embodiment of my invention, I provide a motor driven means for dispensing and an assembly carrying a series of members which can be snapped from one position to another. I provide a relay which is energized when a coin is inserted and at the same time, one of the snap members is snapped out of normal position. The relay controls the motor switch and a switch which completes a holding circuit for the relay. The assembly is driven by the motor in synchronism with the dispensing mechanism. The holding circuit includes a normally closed switch which is out of the path of an undisplaced member and is opened by a displaced member. Means associated with this switch snaps the displaced member back to normal position. I provide a member displacing means for each coin denomination. These displacing means are located from the normally closed switch by a distance corresponding to the number of articles to be dispensed in exchange for the coins inserted.

In both cases, I prefer to providea carryover switch for the motor so that the motor stops leaving snap members or switches in alignment with the displacing means.

I describe and illustrate machines which are intended to accept a quarter or a dime and dispense live or two nickels, respectively. It must be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to these particular coin since the machine may readily be designed to accept any number of coins and to provide change in smaller coins in appropriate amounts. I The invention will readily be understood from the following description of this preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is, a sectional elevation through a change maker embodying my invention, the section being taken on the line l--l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view, the section being taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view showing the switch assembly, the section being taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1; and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view and wiring diagram of another embodment of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, the improved change maker comprises a base if], whereby it may be mounted on a wall or other suitable support, and a cover II which is removable and may be secured to the base by suitable locks (not shown). The coins to be discharged, in the embodiment shown, nickels, are stacked in tubes I2, of which five are shown. The tubes are supported by suitable brackets 13, mounted on the base H3, so that their lower ends are spaced above a shelf [4 by a distance slightly greater than the thickness of a nickel. Between the tubes I2, the shelf 14 is provided with cutouts [5. An arm [6 is carried by a shaft I! and is located so as to ride on the shelf 14 below the tubes [2. It will readily be understood from Fig. 2 that as the arm i6 is rotated by the shaft H, a nickel is transferred from below each tube it passes and is caused to drop through the cutout 15. v

Below the shelf I4 is provided a discharged coin receiver I8 which carries the coins downwardly into a cup [9 which projects forwardly through the cover so that the user may pick up his change. The coin receiver I3 is preferably of hat shape having a central dome 2t and an upturned rim 2|. The preferred arrangement is that the discharged coins hit the dome and slide down into edge engagement with the rim 2|. They roll down the rim, leaning against the dome into the cup IS, the rim being sloped downwardly from back to front.

The shaft I! is driven by a motor 22 through a suitable gear reduction 23. Also driven by the motor in synchronism with the shaft I1 is a switch assembly 24. In the preferred form of the invention the switch assembly 24 is carried by the shaft At the upper end of the base I is provided a coin chute 25 into which the user inserts the coin for which he desires change. The inserted coin drops into a slug rejector 26. An accepted quarter drops through a chute 21 into a cash box 28, momentarily closing a switch 29. An accepted dime drops through a chute 39 into the cash box, momentarily closing a similar switch 3|. A rejected slug drops to the coin receiver I8 into the cup l9. A scavenger button 32 may be actuated in known manner to discharge a slug of magnetic material.

A spring pressed armature 33 of a solenoid 34 tends to move a gate 35 into the path of an incoming coin as shown in dotted lines in Fig. diverting the coin into a chute 36 which leads to the diverted coin receiver H3 and into the cup I9. When the solenoid 34 is energized, the armature 33 and gate 35 move into the full line position in Fig. 5 so that the inserted coin drops into the slug rejector 25.

Beneath each tube |2, I provide in the shelf a button 35 of insulating material which engages a leaf switch 31. When one or more coins is in a tube |2, its button 36 is depressed and its switch 31 is closed. When the last coin is dispensed from a tube l2 its switch 31 opens.

The machine is energized by the secondary 38 of a transformer 39. One side of the secondary is grounded. The hot line 45 is connected through the switches 31, which are in series, to the solenoid 34. The other side of the solenoid is grounded. It will thus be seen that when any tube lacks a coin or when the power fails, the solenoid 34 is de-energized and the gate 35 moves into coin returning position.

The hot line 40 is connected to one side of the 7 motor 22, the other side of which is connected toone side of a carry-over switch 4| and one side of five snap switches 42 carried by the switch assembly 24. The other sides of the switches 4| and 42 are grounded.

It will thus be seen that the motor 22 operates as long as any of the switches 4| or 42 is closed.

The snap switches 42 are arranged to be closed by the solenoids 43 and 44, and are adapted to be opened by the cam member 45. The carry-over switch 4| is actuated by a cam wheel 46 carried by the shaft II. This wheel has the same number of cams as there are tubes l2. The motor 22 is stopped by the opening of the carry-over switch 4| leaving the arm IS in its position of Fig. 2. When the arm is moved by the motor to discharge a coin, the carry-over switch 4| is closed and before a second coin is dispensed, the carry-over switch opens as shown in Fig. 2.

The dime switch 3| is connected to the hot line 40 and to one side of the solenoid 44, the other side of which is grounded. The quarter switch 29 is connected to the hot line 40 and to one side of the solenoid 43, the other side of which is grounded. When the machine stops in its normal condition, as shown in Fig. 2, two of the switches 42 register with the solenoids 43 and 44 as shown in Fig. 3. When a dime is accepted it closes a switch 3| energizing the solenoid 44. The armature of this solenoid moves upwardly actuating the registering switch 42. The motor 22 is put into operation so that the arm I6 is driven dispensing coins from the tubes I2. The closed switch 42 is carried around in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 in synchronism with the arm l8. During or after the dispensing of the second nickel and before the arm l6 engages a third nickel, the closed switch 42 is engaged by the switch opening cam member 45 so that all the switches 42 are opened. At this time the carry-over switch 4| is closed and the motor 22 continues to operate until the switch 4| is opened stopping the machine with two of the switches 42 aligned with the solenoids 43 and 44 and leaving the arm It in a position displaced 144 in the counterclockwise direction from its position in Fig. 2.

When a quarter is accepted, it closes the switch 29 energizing the solenoid 43 so that the switch 42 registering with this solenoid is closed and the machine dispenses five nickels, the solenoid 43 being displaced form the switch opening cam 45 by somewhat more than four times the spacing of the switches 42, in the direction of movement of the switch assembly 24. In the embodiment illustrated, where five tubes are provided, actuation of the machine by the acceptance of a quarter brings the arm l5 into its initial position.

It must be understood that any number of tubes |2 may be provided and likewise any number of switches 42. There must be as many switches 42 as the highest number of coins which are to be dispensed. The switch assembly must move one spacing of the switches 42 for each coin dispensing operation and the switch closing solenoid must be located relative to the switch opening member 45 so that the correct number of coins are dispensed. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to two coins since the machine may readilybe adapted to accept any number of coins, duplicating the coins switches and the switch closing solenoids actuated thereby.

The switches 42 may be any desired type of snap switches. I prefer, however, to employ the switch assembly 24 which is illustrated. This switch assembly comprises upper and lower plates 41 and 43 and three discs 49, 5B and 5| of insulating material, all the elements 41 to 5| being secured together by rivets. The assembly is provided with an opening whereby it is mounted rigidly on the shaft IT. The lower disc 5| carries the contacts 52 of the switches 42, these contacts being connected to a slip ring 53 which is engaged by a brush 54 connected to the motor 22 and the ungrounded side of the switch 4|. The movable poles of the switches 42 are provided by leaf arms 55 which are anchored between the members 49 and 50 so as to project radially therefrom. The leaves 55 are grounded to the shaft IT. The members 49 and 50 also serve to support a spider which includes projecting arms 56 in alignment with the switch leaves 55. Each arm 55 is provided with a slot to provide room for the switch leaves 55. Each switch leaf 55 is connected to its arm 56 by means of a horseshoe spring 51. The arrangement is such that when an arm 56 is in its normal position the spring 51 holds the leaf 55 upwardly away from its contact 52 as shown on the right hand side of Figure 1. When one of the solenoids, for example is energized, its armature moves upwardly displacing the registering arm 56 upwardlyso that it snaps into the position shown on the left hand side of Figure l, the switch leaf 55 being snapped downwardly into engagement with its contact 52. The switch opening member 45 provides asloping surface 58 which engages the upwardly deflected arm 56 so that this arm is moved downwardly with the result that the arms 55 and 561' snap into the position shown on the right hand of Fig. 1 opening the switch.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 6, the assembly 24' merely provides displaceable members which may be the arms 56 of the previously described embodiment, although they may be any other kind of arm which is snapped from one position to the other by the solenoids 43 and 44 and are returned to their initial position by the cam member 45. The switches 42 of the previously described embodiment are replaced by a normally open switch 62 which, together with a normally open switch 60, are arranged to be closed by a relay 6|. One side of the relay 6| is connected to the power line 40. Its other side is connected to one side of the switches 3|, 29 and 66. The other sides of the coin switches 3| and 29 are connected to the ungrounded sides of the solenoids 44 and 43. The other side of the switch 66 is connected to the ungrounded side of a normally closed switch 62. The switch 62 is located immediately ahead of the cam member 45 and is out of the path of undisplaced members 56. The switch 62 is in the path of a displaced member 56, and is arranged so that it is opened by a displaced member 56 immediately before that displaced member is returned to normal position by the cam member 45. The power line 40 is connected to one side of the motor 22, the other side of the motor being connected to the ungrounded side of the switch 42' and the ungrounded side of the carryover switch 4|.

When a quarter is inserted the switch 29 is closed energizing the relay 6|. The relay 6| is held in energized condition by the holding circuit, line 46, relay 6|, closed switch 66, resistor 63 and closed switch 62. The motor 22 is put into operation by the closing of the switch 42 and five coins are dispensed. During the dispensing of the fifth coin the switch 62 is opened by the displaced member 56 and relay 6| is 'deener gized opening the switches 42 and 60. The displaced member 56 is returned to its initial position by the cam member 45. When the switch 62 is opened, the carryover switch 4| is maintained closed by the cam wheel 46 so that the motor 22 continues to operate to complete the dispensing of the fifth coin and to bring the arms 56 into their normal position.

When a dime is inserted the switch 3| is closed, energizing the solenoid 44 so that the motor 22 is put into operation to dispense two coins.

The coin control, herein described, is described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 736,446, filed of even date herewith, without relation to a dispensing machine.

Although the invention has been described in connection with the specific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended tobe limitative of the invention except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus describedmy invention I declare that what I claim is:

l. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, electromagnetic means'for actuating said mechanism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly driven by said electromagnetic means, a series of displaceable members on said assembly, switch means controlling said electromagnetic means, means at a definite position arranged to be engaged by a displaced member to expect the opening of said switch means, a plurality of means, each arranged to displace a corresponding displaceable member, a plurality of coin actuated means, each arranged to control the actuation of the corresponding displacing means and the closing of said switch means, said displacing means being displaced from said definite position by distances which ensure the dispensation of a definite number of articles for each displacing means. i

2. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, electromagnetic means for actuating said mechanism to dispense articlesrepeatedly, a rotatable assembly driven by said electromagnetic'means, a series of displaceable members on said assembly, switch means controlling said electromagnetic means, means at a definite position arranged to be engaged by a displaced member to effect the opening of said switch means, means for returning said displaced member to normal position, a plurality of means, each arranged to displace a corresponding displaceable member, a plurality of coin actuated means, each arranged to control the actuation of the corresponding displacing means and the closing of said switch means, said displacing means being displaced from said definite position by distances which ensure the dispensation of a definite number of articles for each displacing means.

3. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, a motor for actuating said mechanism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly driven by said motor, a series of displaceable members on said assembly, switch means controlling said motor, means at a definite position arranged to be engaged by a displaced member to efiect the opening of said switch means, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace a corresponding displaceable member, a plurality of coin actuated means, each arranged to control the energization of the corresponding electromagnetic means and the closing of said switch means, said electromagnetic means being displaced from said definite position by various distances which ensure the dispensation of a definite number of articles for each electromag netic means and its coin actuated means.

4. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, a motor for actuating said mechanism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly driven by said motor, a series of displaceable members on said assembly, switch means controlling said motor, means at a definite position arranged to be engaged by a displaced member to eiiect the" opening of said switch means, means for returning-said displaced member to normal position, a'plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace a corresponding displaceable member, a plurality of coin actuated means,

each arranged-to control'the energization of the corresponding electromagnetic means and the closing of said switch means, said electromagnetic means being displaced :from said definite position by various distances which ensure the dispensation of a definite number of articles for each electromagnetic means and its coin actuated means.

5. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, electromagnetic means for actuating said mecha nism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly driven by said electromagnetic means, a series of snap switches on said assembly, each controlling the operation of the electromagnetic means, a plurality of coin controlled means for actuating-said snap switches, and means for opening said switches, said switch actuating means being located at a plurality of distances from said switch opening means, whereby a definite number of dispensing operations is initiated by actuating any of said switch actuating means.

6. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, electromagnetic means for actuating said mechanism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly driven by said electromagnetic means, a series of snap switches on said assembly, each controlling the operation of the electromagnetic means, a plurality of coin controlled means for actuating said snap switches, means for opening said switches,-said switch actuating means being located at a plurality of distances from said switchopening means, whereby a definite number of dispensing operations is initiated by actuating any of said switch actuating means, and a limit switch in the motor circuit, controlled by said motor and arranged to open to stop the motor after a snap switch is opened to locate a snap'switch in register with each switch actuating means.

7. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, a motor for actuating said mechanism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly, a series of evenly spaced snap switches on said assembly, each controlling the operation of the motor, means operatively connecting said assembly to the motor whereby the assembly is driven one switch spacing for each dispensing operation, a plurality of coin controlled means, each arranged to actuate one of said switches, means for opening 'said switches, each of said actuating means being displaced from the switch opening means by an individual distance to effect a definite number of dispensing operations for each actuation of said switch actuating means.

8. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, electromagnetic means for actuating said mechanism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly driven by said electromagnetic ,means, a series of displaceable members on said assembly, electromagnetic means for displacing one of said members from its normal position, a relay for closing the circuit of the first mentioned electromagnetic means, coin controlled-means for energizing said relay and energizing the second mentioned electromagnetic means, and a switch actuable by a displaced member for de-energizing said relay, said switch being'displaced from the second mentioned electromagnetic means bya distance which ensures a definite number of dispensing operations.

9. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, electromagnetic means for actuatingsaid mechanism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly driven by said electromagnetic means, a series of displaceable members on said assembly, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace one of said members from its normal position, a relay for closing the circuit of the first mentioned electromagnetic means, a plurality of coin controlled means for energizing said relay and energizingone of the plurality of electromagnetic means, and a switch actuable by a displaced member for de-energizing said relay, said switch being displaced from each of the second mentioned electromagneticmeans by distances which ensure a definite number of dispensing operations for each of the second mentioned electromagnetic means.

10. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, a motor for actuating said mechanism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly driven by said motor, a series of displaceable members on said assembly, electromagnetic means for displacing one of said members from its normal position, a relay for closing the circuit of the motor, coin controlled means for energizing said relay and energizing the electromagnetic means, a switch actuable by a displaced member for deenergizing said relay, said switch being displaced from the electromagnetic means by a distance which ensures a definite number of dispensing operations, means for returning the displaced member to normal position, and a limit switch in the motor circuit controlled by said motor and arranged to open to stop said motor after said relay has been deenergized, to locate a displaceable member in register with the electromagnetic means.

11. A ccin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, a motor for actuating said mechanism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly driven by said electromagnetic means, a series of displaceable members on said assembly, .a plurality of electromagnetic means, eacharranged' to displace one of said members from its normal position, a relay for closing the circuitof the motor, a plurality of coin controlled means, each arranged to energize said relay and energize one of said electromagnetic means, a switch actuable by a displaced member for tie-energizing said relay, said switch being displaced from each of the electromagnetic means by a distance which ensures a definite number of dispensing operations for each of the electromagnetic means,. means for returning the displaced member to normal position, and a limit switch in the motor circuit controlled by said motor andarranged to open to stop said motor after said relay ihaS been vdeenergized to locate a displaceable member in register with each electromagneticmeans.

12. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles,,a motor for actuating said mechanism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly driven by said motor, a series of evenly spaced displaceable members on said assembly, electromagnetic means for displacing one of said members from its normal position, a relay having a pairof normally open switches, one of said switches being in the motor circuit, coin controlled means for energizing said electromagnetic means and said relay, and a normally closed switch arranged to be opened by a displaced member, said normally closed switch cooperating with the other relay switch to establish a holding circuit for said relay, said normally closed switch being displaced from the electromagnetic means by a distance which ensures a definite number of dispensing operations.

13. A coin controlled dispensing machine comprising a mechanism for dispensing articles, a motor for actuating said mechanism to dispense articles repeatedly, a rotatable assembly carrying a series of evenly spaced displaceable members, means operatively connecting said motor to said assembly whereby the assembly is driven one member spacing for each dispensing operation, a plurality of electromagnetic means, each arranged to displace one of said members from its normal position, a relay having a pair of normally open switches, one of said switches being in the motor circuit, a plurality of coin controlled means, each arranged to energize said relay and one of said electromagnetic means, a normally closed switch arranged to be opened by a displaced member, means for returning the displaced member to its normal position, said normally closed switch cooperating with the other 10 relay switch to establish a holding circuit for said relay, said normally closed switch being displaced from each of the electromagnetic means by a distance which ensures a definite number of dispensing operations for each electromagnetic means, and a limit switch in the motor circuit controlled by said motor and arranged to open to stop the motor after the relay is de-energized to locate displaceable membersin register with each electromagnetic means.

HENRY M. MERRILL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 931,485 Raders Aug. 17, 1909 1,615,885 Roberts Feb. 1, 1927 1,678,554 Burgess July 24, 1928 2,252,825 Witherell Aug. 19, 1941 2,267,359 Adler Dec. 23, 1941 2,273,948 Forslund et a1 Feb. 24, 1942 2,393,004 Solinski Jan. 15, 1946 

